Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2006 Dec;12(4):355-362.

Postpartum Depression and its Predictors at Six Months Postpartum

• Yeo JH

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the degree of postpartum depression and its predictors at six months postpartum.
METHODS
The subjects were 161 women six months after delivery who were registered with the public health center. The instruments included a survey of various characteristics, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale(EPDS), husband support, maternal self-esteem, and marital adjustment scale. The data was analyzed using the chi-square-test, t-test, the Pearson correlation coefficients, and the logistic regression.
RESULTS
The point prevalence of postpartum depression at six months postpartum was 14.3%, corresponding to a score of 12 or higher on the EPDS. Postpartum depression was significantly associated with husband support, maternal self-esteem, and marital adjustment. Predictors of postpartum depression identified by the logistic regression analysis include marital adjustment (OR .29 [95% CI .13-.61]) and the delivery method(OR 3.57 [95% CI 1.25-10.23]).
CONCLUSION
Strategies for improving postpartum depression, considerations of husband support and maternal self-esteem are important in research and practice. In addition, interventions for reducing Cesarean delivery and improving marital adjustment are needed.

Keyword

Postpartum depression; Husband; Support; Self-esteem; Marital relationship

MeSH Terms

Depression, Postpartum*
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Marriage
Postpartum Period*
Prevalence
Public Health
Spouses